UN Sanctions Bernard Byamungu M23’s Chief Spy

The United Nations Security Council announced international sanctions against Bernard Maheshe Byamungu the deputy commander of operations and intelligence of the M23 rebel movement in DRC.

Byamungu is accused of distracting the operations of UN stabilisation mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo (monusco).

“Byamungu is one of those who obstruct the participation of Monusco in the operations of disarmament, demobilization and reintegration,” according to UN Security council.

The M23 spy chief is also accused of participating in promoting and supporting the activities of the armed group.

Byamungu described by UN as right-hand man to M23 rebel leader Gen. Sultani Makenga is accused of perpetrating serious crimes in part of the North Kivu province.

In January 2023, Byamungu was promoted to Brigadier General of the Congolese Revolutionary Army, the armed wing of the M23. He was then appointed chief of staff of Sultani Makenga and has since validated the planning of all operations carried out by the M23 in the DRC.

Belonging to the political or military leadership of Congolese militias, including those which receive support from outside the DRC, the UN affirms that Bernard Maheshe Byamungu is one of those who obstruct the participation of Monusco fighters in the operations of disarmament, demobilization and reintegration.

A Brief of Bernard Maheshe Byamungu

In April 2012, Bernard Maheshe Byamungu, then commander of the ninth sector of the FARDC in Uvira in South Kivu and who had defected a few months earlier to join the M23, fell into the net of FARDC elements in the Itombwe mountains, after having spent more than 72 hours on the run.

Accused of participation in an insurrectional movement and sentenced to double the penalty of his dismissal from the Congolese Armed Forces, Bernard Maheshe Byamungu, also a former AFDL rebel, was arrested and detained at the Kinshasa Penitentiary and Reeducation Center (CPRK) the same year, before being released in 2019 by presidential pardon from the Head of State, Félix-Antoine Tshisekedi.

Awaiting his reintegration into the FARDC and to everyone’s surprise, Bernard Maheshe Byamungu exfiltrated from the Congolese capital, Kinshasa, in September 2022 to once again join the M23 terrorist movement, while any exit from the city had been prohibited.

He is currently the subject of an arrest warrant issued by the Congolese authorities.

Byamungu sanctioned by EU and USA

At the end of last July, Brig. Gen Byamungu was also included in the European Union sanctions list, which accused him of being responsible for serious violations of human rights.

“Due to his leadership functions within the M23|ARC, Bernard Byamungu therefore contributes, by planning, directing or committing, to acts constituting serious violations of human rights or attacks on these rights in the DRC. He is also responsible for supporting the armed conflict, instability and insecurity in the DRC,” the European Union said in its communication.

After the European Union, the United States Treasury Department announced on August 24 of the same year, a series of targeted sanctions against six people accused of contributing to the worsening of the conflict and instability in the East of the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Among the individuals on the American blacklist was the former colonel of the Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of Congo (FARDC), Bernard Maheshe Byamungu, 49, currently deputy commander of operations and intelligence of the M23.

Sanctions imposed by the UN result in a travel ban for sanctioned individuals, thereby limiting their mobility and ability to act freely and also lead to the freezing of these individuals’ assets, which can cause a major blow to their means of financing and deprive them of the resources necessary for their activities.

According to UN, these measures aim to limit the influence and capabilities of those sanctioned, while sending a strong message that human rights violations will not be tolerated.

Mobondo Rebels Feared Near Kinshasa, Heading to Kongo-central

DRC’s Defense Minister Jean-Pierre Bemba has warned that the Mobondo militia have reactivated and killed 18 civilians and burning an entire village.

According to Bemba, the Mobondo rebels are active in the provinces of Kwilu, Kwango, Maï-Ndombe and on the outskirts of Kinshasa, the Mobondo rebels are trying to expand into Kongo-central, in the west of the country. The rebels have been accused of mayhem and are accused of killing civilians in several localities.

On September 11, these attackers carried out attacks against a village in the Lulalumene sector, in Kimvula territory.

According to members of local civil society, 18 people were killed and the entire village was burned.

This assessment was confirmed on Friday by the Congolese government during the Council of Ministers.

The Minister of National Defense and Veterans Affairs, Bemba told the council that security forces are tracking these rebels in the region.

Bemba informed the Council, “the Mobondo phenomenon, formerly localized in the provinces of Kwango, Kwilu, Mai-Ndombe and Kinshasa, tends to be exported in the Kongo-Central province.”

One of the houses burnt by the Mobondo rebels are active in the provinces of Kwilu, Kwango, Maï-Ndombe and on the outskirts of Kinshasa.

“The latest incident was on September 11, 2023, with the incursion of these attackers into the Final village, located 10 kilometers from the limit with the commune of Maluku, Lulalumene sector, Kimvula territory, where a death toll was recorded. 18 civilians and 1 soldier killed, 1 soldier missing and the entire village burned,” he said.

Faced with this situation, the head of Defense affirmed that the defense and security forces continue to hunt down these Mobondo attackers.

In this same vein, the Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of National Defense and Veterans Affairs took stock of the situation marked, according to him, by the continuation of military operations in the face of “the continued strengthening of the M23 rebels and the the persistence of attacks by armed groups, causing loss of life and destruction.”

At the same time, the FARDC-UPDF joint forces continue to hunt down ADF/MTM terrorists and dismantle collaboration networks, explained the head of National Defense.

Goma Paralysed, Protesters Demand EAC Force To Leave DRC

The Congolese National Police (PNC) were on Wednesday entangled in running battles with protesters in Goma city demanding for the immediate withdrawal of the EAC regional force.

The Police and Goma city authority had a day earlier banned the demonstration.

Demonstraors are accusing the EAC troops of just looking on or just mere “spectators” on the front line against the M23 rebels.

The demonstration was suppressed as protesters made their way to the town hall. They were prevented, by the police, from giving their memo to the military governor to transmit it to whom it may concern.

Police used tear gas bombs to disperse these demonstrators determined to use their constitutional right.

According to some local media reports, some journalists were hit by shrapnel from tear gas canisters. So far no arrests have been reported.

This demonstration was mobilised by the civil society which recently threatened the government and the EAC to demand popular uprisings against this force.

DRC Extends Military Rule In Ituri, North Kivu Provinces

Kinshasa has extended military rule in two war stricken provinces of Ituri and North Kivu.

According to details, on Friday, the draft ordinance law authorizing the extension of the state of siege was adopted by the government of the Democratic Republic of Congo.

This, follows a presentation by the Minister of State, Minister of Justice Rose Mutombo during the 86th meeting of the Council of Ministers held Friday, February 10, 2023 by videoconference presided over by President Félix Tshisekedi.

Patrick Muyaya, spokesman of the government said the 15-days extension will come into force from February 16 of the current year.

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The extension according to Muyaya will allow the armed forces to consolidate the achievements of previous operations and to continue actions with a view to restoring peace and security in the eastern part of the country.

This new extension of the state of siege comes again in a context of tensions between Kinshasa and Kigali. Kinshasa accuses the Kigali regime of supporting the M23 rebels at the root of the insecurity in the eastern part of the Democratic Republic of Congo, allegations that Kigali rejects as a whole considering the conflict with the M23 a Congolese affair.

The issue was at the center of a summit of East African states in Bujumbura. At the end of the meeting, the heads of state of several Central and East African countries called on Saturday for an “immediate ceasefire by all parties” and a withdrawal of all armed groups, “including foreigners” in eastern DRC.

For Kinshasa, compliance with the resolutions of the final Luanda communiqué must be respected by all stakeholders.

Tshisekedi- Kagame May Meet in Doha For Talks

Qatar is on a marathon engaging Kigali and Kinshasa behind the curtains as Doha seeks to bring President Paul Kagame and President Felix Tshisekedi on a round table for urgent talks to end the wrangles between their countries.

Qatar, which hosts several diplomatic meetings, had planned a meeting on Monday, January 23, between Kagame and Tshisekedi. But the Congolese President refused to participate, citing doubts about the envisaged agreement, according to an African diplomat contacted by AFP on condition of anonymity.

“The planned meeting between the presidents of Rwanda and the DRC has been postponed until further notice…Qatar is optimistic that the meeting will be held on a date yet to be determined,” said a source within the Qatari Foreign Ministry, who asked to remain anonymous.

However, Kigali is impatiently awaiting the Doha meeting between the two presidents, to strengthen the ongoing talks, Rwandan government spokeswoman Yolande Makolo said, adding that “Kigali is always ready to contribute to peace and security in the region”.

Kinshasa has not indicated whether it will come to the Doha mediated talks.

Another diplomatic source on condition of anonymity quoted by foreign press, indicated that a high-level meeting took place between the DRC and Rwanda at the end of last year during the World Cup in Qatar.

Kinshasa has repeatedly failed to implement the recommendations of the Nairobi and Luanda treaties and repeatedly accused Rwanda of aiding the M23 rebels a claim Kigali has vehemently rejected.

According to Kigali and realistic evidence on ground, the Congolese army coalesces with the Rwandan FDLR rebels in the fight against M23 rebels. The FDLR has on various occasions launched strikes on Rwanda territory claiming lives and destroying property.

Kinshasa war planes have violated Rwandan airspace which Kigali describes as an act of aggression.

 On Tuesday, January 24, Rwanda said it had fired on a Congolese military plane “Sukhoi”, which had violated its airspace.

It should be noted that fighting continues between the FARDC and the M23, which conquered the locality of Kitchanga on Thursday, January 26, in the evening despite a ceasefire signed in Luanda between DRC and Angola at the end of last year.

Tshisekedi Suspicious Of Kabila, Katumbi Silence On M23 Agression

President Félix Tshisekedi has asked former President Joseph Kabila to make his position clear about the ongoing M23 rebels’ aggression in the eastern part of DRC.

The Congolese president last week on Thursday addressed the nation and asked politicians to “silence their differences” and to mobilize “as one man.” He also asked the youth to “organize themselves into vigilante groups” against the M23.

M23 rebels that have outwitted Congolese army on the battle front are described as terrorists by Kinshasa while the international community say the rebel force actions are of a conventional army.

Tshisekedi also accuses Moïse Katumbi, the former governor of Katanga of remaining silent on the situation in Eastern DRC. The rebels now control several localities, including Bunagana and recently Rutshuru in the East.

However, political pundits in DRC argue that Kabila’s deafening silence on the M23 actions also cuts across his political coalition the FCC.

“You have to understand the Kabilists. When they were in power, Tshisekedi’s UDPS showed them no support on this subject. It is therefore normal that they are silent,”according to a source preferring anonymity.

According to the Tshisekedi government, Kabilists last spoke about the M23 rebellion in July but it is concerned they did not blame Rwanda.

Kabila’s party the People’s Party for Reconstruction and Democracy (PPRD) said in a statement last July, “On the security front, the Political Bureau (of PPRD) notes a deterioration in the security situation in our country and expresses its deep concern.”

It added, “This is an opportunity to express all our compassion to those of our compatriots who are victims of this crisis. We support the Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of Congo in the face of the negative forces operating in our country, particularly in its eastern part. We have total confidence in the ability of our Armed Forces to defeat these negative forces.”

However, a relative of Joseph Kabila who requested not to be named explained the silence maintained on the M23 aggression.

“Before leaving power, the Honorary President was clear: our relations with Rwanda were not good. We were surprised, when President Tshisekedi arrived, that our country suddenly changed course. Worse still, despite our advice, army officers have been arrested or punished simply because they were hostile to Rwanda or because they were appointed by Kabila. How do you want us today to be the ones who take the lead in the face of our own mistakes?.”

Meanwhile, Ferdinand Kambere, deputy permanent secretary of the PPRD noted ,“we were against the fact that the government took the option of renegotiating with the M23 when it had already disappeared.”

According to Kambere, “there was no reason to renegotiate with these people and especially to sign agreements with Rwanda and Uganda because now we are caught in the throat because of these problems.”

Another relative of Kabila also who requested anonymity observed that the attitude of the Tshisekedi regime does not create the conditions for national mobilization.

“You cannot have people in prison for criticizing and calling for mobilization. The Head of State should set an example and take actions that allow all parties to mobilize to lend him a hand. The threat is real, but it is up to the Chief to take the step”, he said.

He however rules out the possibility of seeing Joseph Kabila and Félix Tshisekedi working together. 

“It is totally possible. They have worked together before. Why wouldn’t they do it again, while our country is under threat. But our friends in power must learn from their mistakes and reach out. It is not just Kabila that needs to be mobilized. All the other forces in the country expect strong actions from the President of the Republic,” he explained.

President Tshisekedi views Mr Katumbi with suspicion

According to the Kinshasa regime, Moïse Katumbi, leader of Together for the Republic party, current position is unknown whether he is an opponent or still allied to the Congolese president.

The regime also says the former governor of Katanga was completely silent on this issue of the M23 rebellion in the east of the country. His party only communicates on elections and this makes the regime wonder what this man is up to.

Katumbi last communicated on the rebellion on May 21 via a tweet which the Kinshasa regime describes as unclear.

“War never brings a solution. Faced with the new ordeal we are going through, let’s all be united. All my support goes to the FARDC who fight with courage against the M23! The fate of the thousands of our compatriots in distress must be our very first concern,” Katumbi said.

However, a close relative of Mr. Katumbi argues, “We prefer to remain silent because a statement will not change anything. We need concrete actions and we have always said that, ” he explains under anonymity. However, many in Kinshasa, especially on the side of President Tshisekedi, believe that this silence is the result of an “acquaintance with Kigali”.

In 2018, Katumbi was in Kigali, Rwanda on April 28 and 29, during the Mo Ibrahim award ceremony. At that time he was the subject of a controversy in Kinshasa.

President Paul Kagame had then observed that “Congo’s problems are not only Congo’s problems, they also affect us as a neighbour”. What Katumbi had said: “I think the president (Kagame) has said everything”. “Now that I am in Rwanda, they will invent other false accusations because they do not like Rwanda…”, Katumbi told the press in Kigali.

Kinshasa regime under President Tshisekedi badly wants Mr. Katumbi to resort to rhetoric against Kigali and blame it as they do for the ongoing troubles in the East of DRC.